Gear Review: Energizer LED Pop-Up Lantern

The Energizer LED Pop-Up Lantern is one of several new products from Energizer featuring what they call light fusion technology. We were offered any of the four products for review: a folding lantern, a tripod multi-function light, a handheld flashlight or the pop-up lantern. I asked for whichever was lightest (I meant weight-wise, but I’m wondering if they thought I meant brightness) and was sent the lantern. Which is fine, since it resembles the Black Diamond Orbit lantern I already own, making a few comparisons possible.

The light area on the Energizer lantern pulls out of the base, offering 360 degrees of illumination. When collapsed, the lantern is 4 inches high. When in use, it puts out up to 150 lumens for 100 hours, but it’s adjustable, so you can dim it if desired by holding down the button. It’s water resistant and powered by four AA batteries and weighs 298-300 grams with the batteries inserted. Unlike the version pictured, the one sent to us has a flexible rubber strap on top (versus the rigid handle) — this comes undone on one side so you can hang the lantern from your tent or a tree branch. The lantern costs $19.99.

Black Diamond Orbit Lantern

In comparison, the Black Diamond Orbit lantern is $29.95 and puts out a measly 45 lumens of light for up to 24 hours (also adjustable). Put the lanterns side by side, and it’s noticeably dimmer, though still bright enough to read by when suspended from the backpacking tent ceiling (at a greater distance, this could be a problem). The light also seems to be directed more downward vs. outward for the Energizer lantern, which works well for tent use. When collapsed, it is also 4 inches high, but it’s much smaller in diameter than the Energizer lantern and is in general less bulky, weighting in at about 83 grams. It runs on four AAA batteries.

The 200 gram difference may seem negligible (it’s about half a pound), but if you’re a backpacker, half a pound here and half a pound there can really add up. Which is why, despite my best intentions to review the Energizer lantern out in the wild on our recent backpacking trip, I ended up leaving it at home and carrying the Orbit instead.*

That said, the Energizer’s brightness and ease of use, not to mention its affordability, make it a great option for car camping and other outdoor adventures where weight doesn’t matter quite so much.

Of note: The Energizer lantern arrives in “Try Me” mode, which means it will only stay lit for 10 seconds at a time. You need to take out the batteries and wait for 10 seconds before putting them back in. This does not seem to be well explained in the product literature, leading to some angst on online reviews.

The Energizer LED Pop-Up Lantern is available at Target, Amazon and other retailers.

*If I was really concerned with weight, I wouldn’t have brought that either. Or a book. Or a pillow. But I like my little luxuries.